Vapor electric lamp or rectifier.



E. WEINTRAUB.

VAPOR ELECTRIC LAMP 0R RECTIFIER.

APPLICATION FILED mun. I903. ncucwcu FEB. 5. I9I5.

Patented Apr. 6, 1915.

Fig. 4.

Fig.2.

- Inventor:

" Ezechiel Wemtraub,

(WM-M by fICCy.

Witnesses- 4 w UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EZECHIEL WEIN'DRAUIB, OF BCHE NEC'IADY, NEW YOBL ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

VAPOR ELECTRIC LAMP OB RECTIFIER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 6, 1915.

Application filed July 11, 1806, Serial No. 165,056. Renewed February 5, 1915. Serial No. 6,870.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LEZEoKmL WmNwnApB, a subject of the Czar of Russia, residlng at Schenectady, county of Schenectady, State of New York, have invented certaln new and useful Improvements in Vapor Electric Lamps or Rectifiers, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to lmprovements both in starting a vapor electric lamp, rectifier, or the like, and also in producing and maintaining the vacuum in apparatus of the type mentioned.

To this end the invention comprises certain novel features both as to the com osition, construction and arrangement 0 the electrodes of the apparatus and also as to the manipulation of the electrodes during the process of exhaustion.

My invention comprises various features of novelty as set forth with particularity in the claims appended hereto but will be better understood both as to its details of construction and mode of operation by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents one embodiment of my invention; Figs. 2 and 3 views of details; and Fig. 4 a view of another application of my invention.

In Fig. 1 my invention is represented as applied to a direct current mercury vapor are light. In this figure the inclosing envelop of the light or lamp consists of a tube 1 of suitable length. At the bottom of the tube is provided a lateral extension consisting of a relatively small tube 2 connected to the main tube through tubular connecting walls 3. The lower ends of the tubes 1 and 2 both form pockets which are filled with mercury until the level of the mercury is slightly above the top of the wall 4.. The mercury in these pockets forms electrodes 5 and 6. In this mercury floats a hermetically sealed glass tube 7 filled with iron wires forming an armature. A solenoid or magnetizing coil 8 surrounds the tube 2 and operates, when energized by current, to raise a closed tube 7 and thus lower the level of the mercury until a break is formed across the bridge 4. The purpose of this construction will be hereinafter described more in detail.

The top of the tube 1 is provided with an enlargement 9 in which are located two electrodes 10 and 11. The electrode 10 is cylindrical in form and is supported axially of the tube by a leading-in wire 12 through which current from an external source may be conveyed to the electrode. This leadingin wire may be surrounded by a rotecting tube 13 of glass, the lower end 0 which is closely adjacent to the top of the electrode 10. The other electrode 11, like the electrode 10, is cylindrical in form and referably hollow, as shown in Fig. 2. It is supported crosswise of the tube by means of the leading-in conductor 14: which extends through the wall of the enlargement 9 as indicated and is surrounded, as to the portion between the walls of the enlar ement and the electrode, by a relatively c ose-fitting flared tube 15 of glass.

The electrode 11 is located almost directly under the lower end of the electrode 10 and is slightly cut away so as to allow a carbon filament 16 connected to the electrode 10 to extend down axially in the tube 1 as shown but out of contact with the electrode 11. The same purpose may be accomplished by drilling a hole laterally through the electrode 11 and arranging the electrode so that the fiiament 16 passes through the hole without touching the walls thereof.

The electrical connections to the apparatus which I have thus described as to its structural details, are such that the lower electrode 5 of mercury is connected to one supply main 17, and the two upper electrodes 10 and 11, together with the auxiliary mercury electrode 6, to the other supply main 18. A switch 19 together with a currentlimiting resistance 20 may be included in the circuit which passes from the main 18 through the solenoid 8 to the auxiliary electrode. A resistance 21, consisting of a length of iron wire, is connected between the electrode 10 and the electrode 11 for a purpose hereinafter to be mentioned.

In first starting up the lamp, while the process of exhaustion is oing on, current is first switched to the malns 17 and 18 and caused to pass through the solenoid 8. The tube 7 with its iron core is withdrawn from the mercury thus lowering the level of the mercury and so striking an are as the mercury separates across the bridge 4. This are when struck causes an arc to start between the main electrode 5 and the upper electrode 10. The production of this are through the length of the main tube 1 is greatly assisted by the presence of the filament 16 along which the current flows until the arc is completely established. After the lamp has been started as described, it is maintained in operation for a considerable time, during which the exhaust pump is worked continuously to carry away gases as fast as given oil. The electrode 10 is thereby freed to a large extent of its absorbed gases. Connection is 'then made between the electrode 10 and electrode 11, and the circuit of the electrode 10 then broken. The are is thereby transferred from the electrode 10 to the electrode 11. The latter electrode then heats up and, as in the case of the electrode 10, is presently brought to a bright red heat, thereby giving off gases. The gas thus given off is to a large extent withdrawn by the air pump, but a portion of it is absorbed by the electrode 10. To eliminate the gas thus absorbed by the electrode 10 the arc is retransferred to the electrode 10 by first connecting the two electrodes together and then opening the circuit of the electrode 11. The are is thus transferred back and forth between the electrodes 10 and 11 a number of times, until practically no gas is given ofi" by either of them. The lamp may then be sealed 03 from the ump and the exhausting process thus comp eted.

I have above briefly adverted to the property of absorbing gases which the electrodes 10 and 11 possess when cold. That this absorbent property may exist I have found that it is necessary that the electrode or electrodes should first be heated to drive oil such gases as they may contain. Upon coolin the electrode becomes absorbent and this a sorbent property I utilize for the purpose of maintaining the vacuum in apparatus of the character described. To this end I utilize one only of the electrodes 10 and 11 as the main electrode during the normal operation of the lamp. The other electrode remains inactive as an electrode but operates to absorb any gas that may be given off by that electrode which is in operation. To render this absorptive action most effective the electrodes should be placed close together as indicated for example in Fig. 1. If, when the electrode 11 becomes heated by the are, any gases are given ofi', they are absorbed by the adjacent electrode or absorbent body 10 which thus prevents the vacuum of the lamp from deteriorating. I have found that this absorbing action takes place when the electrodes are formed either one or both of carbon or of graphite. That electrode which operates principally as the absorbing electrode may, however, be composed of a special absorbing material such as charcoal. The electrode 10 may accordingly be formed of a piece of charcoal, either solid or hollow, or it may be built up as shown in Fig. 3, in which an outer shell 22 of hard carbon or graphite is provided with a filling 23 of charcoal.

When the lamp shown in Fig. 1 is arranged for normal operation, the small resistance 21 of iron wire is connected between the outside terminals of the electrodes 10 and 11 as shown. Under these conditions, when the starting arc is formed across the bridge 4, as described, the main arc extends up the tube from the electrode 5 along the filament 16 to the electrode 10. Almost as soon, however, as this arc is formed, or within a short time thereafter. the main arc deserts the electrode 10 and flows to the electrode 11. The tendency for the arc to desert the electrode 10 and pass to the electrode 11 is due to some extent to the fact that the electrode 11 is nearer the lower electrode 5. This action however is rendered more certain and more prompt by the presence of the resistan e 21 which renders the circuit or path of the electrode 10 of greater resistance than the PlO 'trmle 11.

The current which flows in the tube does not seem to divide between the electrodes 10 and 11 but appears to flow to the electrode 11 to the entire exclusion of the electrode 10. The starting filament 16 is by reason of this phenomenon automatically cut out of circuit so that the very small current which it might otherwise carry is interrupted. The arrangement of the electrodes shown thus affords a convenient means for causing the main arc to flow with ease to an electrode to which, for one reason or another, it might not be desired to attach the carbon filament. Thus, the electrode 11, instead of being formed of graphite, may be formed of titanium carbid which, as I have discovered, possesses very valuable pro erties as an electrode but which because 0 its hardness it is dillicult to drill for the pur ose of at taching the carbon filament. 11 using an electrode of this character the arc first starts, as before described, to the starting electrode 10 and then is transferred automatically to the titanium carbid electrode i ccupying the position of the electrode 11 in An electrode of titanium carbid possesses the valuable advantage that it is extremely refractory and that when in operation it seems to give off no gases to impair the vacuum nor does it disintegrate and thus cause a consequent deposit on the adjacent walls of the tube, as is the case to a greater or less extent with electrodes of other materials.

In Fig. 4 my invention is shown as applied to an alternating current lamp of a type devised by me. The exhausted envelop or receptacle of this lamp consists as before of a tube 24. The bottom portion of this tube is provided with three pockets each partly filled with mercury constituting separate electrodes 25, 26 and 27. The outside electrodes 25 and 27 are connected, through suitable leading-in wires, with mains 28 and 29 which derive sin le phase current from a suitable source. cross these mains are connected in series two reactive coils 30 and 31 and extending from the junction 32 between these coils is a lead 33 which makes "connection through a suitable leading-in wire with the middle or main mercury electrode 26.

The upper ortion of the envelop 24 is enlarged as indicated at 34 so as to contain a number of electrodes 35, 36 and 37. The electrodes 35 and 36 are placed transversely with res ct to the enlargement 34 and are arrange side by side and close together but without touching. These electrodes may each be solid or, if desired, may be hollow. In either case a portion of each is cut away so as to form a clear open space 38. Down through this space extends a filament 39 which is supported by and electrically connected to the remaining electrode 37 arranged axially in the envelop.

Each of the electrodes 35, 36 and 37 is supported by suitable leading-in conductors which afford means for conveying current to and from the respective electrodes through the walls of the envelop. The electrodes 35 and 36 are connected respectively across the supply mains 28 and 29 and constitute main electrodes during operation of the lamp. The electrode 37, with its attached filament 39, serves both as the starting electrode and as a gas-absorbing means after the lamp is in operation. This electrode 37 is electrically connected through a resistance consisting of a short piece of iron wire to one of the main electrodes such as the electrode 36.

In starting the lamp the lower portion thereof is slightly shaken so as to form arcs across the bridges or walls 40 and 41 which separate the three mercury electrodes 25, 26, 27. Current flows directly from the alternating-current source through the electrodes 25 and 27 and returns through the lead 33. When current from the source is of one polarity, the return current in the lead 33 passes, for example, through the reactance coil 30 to the lead 28, while when in the opposite direction it passes through the reactance coil 31 to the other lead 29. At such times as current is not flowing directly from the source through either of the reactances such reactance discharges the energy stored up by the previous flow of current, thereby feeding one or another of the arcs across the bridges 40 and 41 so as to bridge over the time when no current flows therethrough directly from the source. The result is an uninterrupted, though not necessarily constant, flow of current across each of the bri ies 40 and 41.

en the arcs have been started as described the seat of the discharge may be transferred to the main tube or envelo 24 2y merely o ening the switches 42 and 43 he electr e 35 which is in multiple with the electrode 25 immediately takes the are from the latter, while in a similar manner the electrode 36 takes the are from the electrode 27. This transition is assisted by the presence of the electrode 37 with its dependent filament 39. This filament assists the passage of the are up through the tube 24 which arc, as soon as it has reached the electrode 37, or at least very shortly afterward, finds a better conducting path to the electrode 36 which is electrically connected to the electrode 37, whereupon the arc jumps from the electrode 37 to the electrode 36. In this manner advantage is taken of the filament 39 to render the starting of the main are easier and this filament after having served its purpose for starting automatically cuts itself out in the manner described without requiring the assistance of magnetic cutouts or the like.

The vapor conductor represented by Fig. 4 carries a direct current in the circuit 33. By inserting translating devices in this circuit the rectifying action of the apparatus may be utilized. Inasmuch as the illuminating function of the tube is then usually of secondary or no importance, the tube may be made much shorter so as to con sume as little voltage as possible.

In case I desire to utilize the absorbing qualities of the electrodes, such as 10 in Fig. 1 and 37 in Fig. 4, without taking advantage of the ease of starting afforded by the filaments respectively connected to the electrodes, I may omit these filaments from the construction and, after the lamps have been prepared as above described, the electrical connection with the electrodes 10 and 37 may be permanently omitted. These electrodes therefore are then no longer electrodes properly speaking but have the single function of gas-absorbing or vacuumpreserving devices. I prefer however to take advantage of both of the features which I have described, namely, the gasabsorbing property and the starting prop erty of the said electrodes, though either however may be, if desired, employed without the other property being present.

From the foregoing description it will be evident that my invention embraces various coiiperating features of novelty all of which are susce tible of numerous modifications without eparting from the spirit of my invention. I therefore do not wish to be limited to the exact details shown and described.

What I claim as new and desire to seeuro by Letters Patent of the United States, 15

1. The combination of an exhausted envelop, main electrodes therefor, and a starting electrode provided with a conductor of small cross-section extending a part only of the distance between two or more of said main electrodes.

2. The combination of an exhausted envelop, main electrodes therefor, and an additional electrode of absorbent material arranged to operate as a starting electrode and after the arc is starting between the main electrodes to operate as a gas-absorbing means.

3. The combination of a pluralit of electrodes one at least of which is a apted to emit vapor, while at least two others are formed of nonvaporizable material, an electrical connection between said two electrodes, and a resistance included in said connection.

4. In a vapor electric lamp or the like, a main electrode, an auxiliary electrode connected through an external resistance to said main electrode and located in proximity to said main electrode, and a filament extending from said auxiliary electrode.

5. In a vapor electric apparatus, the combination of a vapor-emitting electrode, and a cooperating electrode formed of a conducting carbid.

6. In a vapor electric apparatus, the combination of a vapor-emitting electrode, and a cooperating electrode formed of titanium carbid.

7. In a vapor electric a paratus, the combination of main electro es one at least of which is adapted to emit vapor, a starting electrode located in proximity to one of the main electrodes and electrically connected therewith through a resistance, and a filamentary conductor extending from said starting electrode.

8. In a vapor electric lamp or the like, the combination of an exhausted envelop or receptacle, and a vacuum-preserving device therein consisting of a body rendered absorbent by heating during the process of exhaustion of said receptacle.

9. The combination of an exhausted receptacle, main electrodes therefor, one at least of which is formed of a conducting carbid, and a vacuum-preserving device in said receptacle.

10. The combination of a main electrode of a conducting carbid, and an auxiliary electrode of charcoal or containing charcoal connected through a resistance to said main electrode.

11. In a lamp of the class described, the combination of a container, a ne ative electrode, a positive electrode and a lamentary electrode electrically disconnected fromthe positive electrode within the chamber.

12. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a container, a negative electrode, a positive electrode, a filamentary electrode extending from the vicinity of the positive electrode to the vicinity of the negative electrode, connections for the several electrodes, and a resistance in the lead of the filamentary electrode.

13. In a vapor electric device, the combination of an inclosing envelop or container, a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a filament electrically disconnected, in the envelop, from the positive electrode, but connected externally.

14. In a vapor electric apparatus, the combination of an envelo or container, a negative electrode, a positive electrode, a filament extending from the vicinity of the positive electrode to the vicinity of the negative electrode, connections for the filament and the electrode, and a resistance in the lead of the filament.

15. The combination in an electric vapor apparatus, of main positive and negative electrodes, a supplemental or starting positive electrode, an intermediate positive electrode, and resistances external to the device through which the respective starting and intermediate positive electrodes are connected with the working positive electrode.

16. The combination in an electric apparatus, of main positive and negative electrodes, a supplementary or starting positive electrode, an additional positive electrode, and resistances external to the device through which the respective starting and additional positive electrodes are connected with the working ositive electrode.

17. In an electric device, main positive and negative electrodes, a supplemental or starting positive electrode, an additional electrode, and an external resistance between said additional electrode and the main ositive electrode.

18. he combination of an inclosing chamber, main positive and negative working electrodes, a supplemental starting positive electrode, connections therefrom to the main positive electrode, an intermediate positive electrode, and automatic means for shifting the current flow from the starting electrode to the intermediate electrode, and thence to the working positive electrode.

19. The hereinbefore described method of operating electric vapor ap aratus, which consists in establishing a ow of current across a short path within the device, and opposing external resistance to the flow of current there through, thereby causing the current to pass to another electrode, opposing external resistance to the flow of current to that electrode, and thereby automatically causing the flow of current to a more remote electrode.

20. The combination of a main positive electrode, a negative electrode, a temporary or starting positive electrode, a solid conductor extending a portion of the distance between the main positive and the negative electrodes having exposed portions, as and for the purpose described.

21. The hereinbefore described method of operating electric vapor apparatus, which consists in establishing a flow of current across a short path within the device, and automatically lengthening said path by definite steps.

22. The hereinbefore described method of starting and operating an electric vapor apparatus, which consists in initially establishing a flow of current through a relatively short section of the device, thereupon substituting successively longer portions of the device, and automatically interrupting the initial connections.

23. The combination with a vapor electric device having a working positive and a working negative electrode, of an intervening internally located solid conductor,

one or more connections therefrom with the main positive, and a resistance interposed in the latter connection.

24. The combination of an exhausted envelop, electrodes in opposite ends thereof, a plurality of cooperating starting electrodes of the same polarity located at intervals between the extremes of the tube, and means for producing a starting are between one of the main electrodes and the adjacent starting electrode.

25. In a va or electric apparatus, the combination 0 electrodes, and means for extending an are by finite-steps from one electrode to another.

26. In a vapor electric apparatus, the combination of cooperating main electrodes, and bodies of conducting material spaced apart at intervals between said electrodes.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 8th day of July, 1903.

EZECHIEL WEINTRAUB.

Witnesses BENJAMIN B. HULL, HELEN Onronn.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,134,784, granted April (I, 1915,

upon the application of Ezechicl Weintraub, of Schenectady, New York, for an improvement in "Vapor Electric Lamps or Rectifiers, an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 4 line 13, for the word starting read started; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this corr-cti0n therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 4th day of May, A. D., 1915.

R. F. WIIITEHEAD,

Acting Commiemloner of Patent. 

